With one foot in heaven
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| German title | With one foot in heaven too With one leg in heaven |
| Original title | One foot in heaven |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 1941 |
| length | 106 minutes |
| Rod | |
| Director | Irving rapper |
| script | Casey Robinson |
| production | Irving rapper |
| music | Max Steiner |
| camera | Charles Rosher |
| cut | Warren Low |
| occupation | |
| |
With one foot in heaven (Alternative title with one foot in heaven ) is an American movie from the year 1941 according to the biographical novel One Foot in Heaven - The Life of a Practical Parson by Hartzell Spence, who appeared 1940th
action
William Spence lived in Stratford, Canada in 1904 . After hearing an evangelical preacher, he changes his plans for the near future. Instead of attending medical school, he wants to turn to the priesthood. Williams' first post is as a Methodist Church priest in a small town in the US state of Iowa . With his wife Hope he manages to repair the dilapidated rectory.
The Spences then move from parish to parish. The couple has two children, Eileen and Hartzell. During the war years, William was able to supplement the family income by holding wedding ceremonies. Hope becomes pregnant a third time and gives birth to a boy. At first, the couple cannot agree on a name for the offspring. Hope wants to name the boy William junior, but William suggests giving him the middle name Frazer. Hartzell can't handle the idea that a priest's son should set a good example for other boys. William explains to him that a pastor's family walk on a tightrope, always with one leg on the earth and the other in heaven.
William is told that his son Hartzell was seen in a movie theater, something that was forbidden to Methodists at the time. William accompanies Hartzell to the cinema and wants to show him why films are bad for people. In the film shown, William S. Hart plays the leading role. The film impresses the priest, who on the following Sunday in his sermon suggests to parishioners that young people can also teach older people something.
The 1920s turned out to be economically successful, but not for the Spences, whose parsonage in Denver is rather shabby. William wants to build a new church and a new rectory, but power struggles and intrigues within the community let the plans fail. When he refuses to stop visiting the wealthy Lydia Sandow's chauffeur, Mrs. Sandow leaves the ward. William dissolves the bad church choir and replaces it with a children's choir. The choirmaster Mrs. Thurston is also leaving the ward. Hartzell is expelled from school for allegedly impregnating a girl.
William sets out to find the girl's family, who now live in California. There William realizes that the rumors have nothing to do with them. Back in Denver, he confronts the Thurstons who started the rumor of pregnancy with his findings. He gives them the choice of having to answer to the congregation or paying a certain amount into the church fund. A year later the new church is built and the Spences can move into the new rectory. They are aware that they will only be living here for a short time as William already has a new job in prospect. But William also knows he is leaving a blooming church behind.
Reviews
“In an optimistic Hollywood style, the film gives insights into the practice of the American Methodist movement, its renewal efforts, the everyday worries of a pastor's family and the seriousness of their Christian creed. A credible testimony thanks to the humorous presentation. "
"[...] cheerful and compassionate film, an excellent character study."
“A warm and humane sermon for the fear of God. […] The only flaws in the film are the lengthy breathlessness of the first half and the tendency of the director Irving Rapper to skip the hectic years of the Depression after the war. "
Awards
In 1942 , the Warner Bros. production was nominated for an Oscar in the category of Best Picture , but was subject to the drama So Green Was My Valley by John Ford .
background
The film premiered on October 2, 1941 in Washington, DC . It first appeared in Germany in January 1947. It was also broadcast on German television under the title Step in the Sky .
William S. Hart, whose 1917 western The Silent Man is the movie William and Hartzell Spence watch in theaters, was the guest of honor at the film's Hollywood premiere.
Hartzell's Spence biography, which formed the basis of the script, is based on the life of his father William Spence, who served as a Methodist minister in Iowa and Colorado from 1904 until the 1920s.
Chester Conklin and Gig Young played small supporting roles .
For lead actor Fredric March, the film was kind of a stroke of luck. Not only was it a challenge for him as the story spanned 20 years. March was part of a group of actors (including Franchot Tone and James Cagney ) who should be heard by the Un-American Activities Committee for their support for liberal projects. Although all the accused actors were acquitted, their reputation was damaged.
Irving Rapper worked here as a director for only the second time. He replaced the originally committed Anatole Litvak , for whom he previously worked as a dialogue director. Rapper was supported by Methodist pastor and author Norman Vincent Peale , who advised rappers and actors, especially March and Scott.
Web links
- With one foot in heaven in theInternet Movie Database(English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ With One Foot in Heaven in the Lexicon of International Films , accessed December 13, 2011.
- ^ "[...] a cheerful and warmly compassionate film, an excellent character study." - Review of the New York Times (English) , accessed on December 13, 2011.
- ↑ One Foot in Heaven. In: Variety . 1941, accessed on May 31, 2020 (English, “A warm and human preachment for godliness. […] The only faults with the picture are its slowness in the first half and the tendency of director Irving Rapper to skip over the hectic postwar depression years. ”).